Comments on: Reviewing the Idea of Reviews

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:11:40 +0000

Thought you’d like to know: Book World is on its way out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012802208.html?hpid=moreheadlines

By: kath

kath — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:47:53 +0000

I read the non-fiction book reviews. Otherwise I doubt I would ever pick up any non-fiction. As for fiction, I usually go into a book store and make notes of titles & authors that “look interesting” and then get them from the library. I read the movie reviews in the New Yorker and that’s it.

By: heyjoe

heyjoe — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:57:55 +0000

Certainly I don’t want the review to be so detailed as to ruin the book reading experience, but I’ve discovered several new authors based on book reviews.

Also, unless one is familiar with an author and will read anything they publish, I think SOME sort of re review is necessary in order to decide if you’re even interested in picking up the book. Otherwise what do you do, blind pick books off Amazon and take your chances?

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:55:50 +0000

So true! I avoid reviews and the book jacket. With movies, I try to ignore previews as well. I even skip the “next time on…” upcoming scenes for my favorite TV shows. I’ve come to enjoy being surprised and find that having no expectation helps me to form a more true opinion.
I prefer to think it’s a function of wisdom rather than age – haha!

By: wyliekat

wyliekat — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:53:57 +0000

I don’t read them, either. And that’s bad, because I used to write book reviews for the local paper. Talk about not being a product spokesperson.

To double-whammy it, if there’s a book that’s been made into a film, I prefer to see the film before reading the book. The book inevitably has more detail than the film, so it’s like getting a behind the scenes view.

By: sunshine

sunshine — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:13:24 +0000

I’m with you.

The other day we rented Hancock. The movie was okay but I absolutely loved it because I was totally surprised during the movie. The act of being surprised made me giddy.

But maybe I am getting old too…

By: Suebob

Suebob — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:23:24 +0000

So many reviews seem to be more about the reviewer showing how very clever they are than about the work they are discussing.

And I HATE it when they give away key plot points or the ending.

By: Kathi D

Kathi D — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:36:30 +0000

I hate reviews that give everything away. Sometimes even the movie trailers show you the whole movie.

I actually like to read reviews of books and movies and plays, but only after I have read the book or seen the movie or play. I want to see what someone else thought of it and try to get insights that might have eluded me.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:46:44 +0000

I still read reviews. If the book interests me, I’ll read it. Yes, it is tough to write a review without spoilers, but it’s possible. Tough call, isn’t it?

By: Ree

Ree — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:03:03 +0000

I just don’t read them.